Ruhee Ismail-Teja is an executive leader in public affairs, economic policy and corporate strategy, with cross-sector experience spanning private, public and non-profit sectors. She specializes in fostering a competitive business environment, advancing policy that strengthens Canada’s economic competitiveness, and building trusted relationships between industry, government and community.

Ruhee currently serves as Vice President, Policy and External Affairs at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, where she leads the Chamber’s public affairs portfolio, including government relations and advocacy, public policy and thought leadership, media and external relations, Indigenous reconciliation, and inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility initiatives. In this role, she works directly with business leaders, elected officials and government decision-makers, and community partners to drive policy that supports innovation, investment and long-term economic growth.

Prior to this role, Ruhee spent several years in the upstream energy industry at MEG Energy, where she advanced corporate priorities across multiple levels of government. Her work included leading government relations for the organization’s large-scale technology projects, as well as major economic files such as carbon policy, electricity policy, market access and regulatory competitiveness. She has also worked as an economic advisor to Quebec’s Minister of Finance, as well as in government relations at the University of Calgary.

Ruhee is deeply involved in her community. She currently serves on the Werklund Centre (formerly Arts Commons) Board of Directors and the Max Bell School of Public Policy Advisory Board. She has previously served on the YMCA Canada Board of Directors, ParticipACTION Board of Directors, the SAIT Board of Governors and the Queen’s University AMS Board of Directors.

She holds a Master of Public Policy from McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy, a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from Queen’s University and a Governance Essentials Certificate from the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Beyond her professional work, Ruhee loves to travel and has been fortunate to visit more than 35 countries. Even at home, she rarely sits still – she is an avid runner and triathlete, as well as a visual artist and pianist.